Montreal police (SPVM) officers arrested five men in two separate investigations after a string of robberies at depanneurs, grocery stores and pharmacies.
Three suspects were in connection with one investigation, and another two were arrested in connection with an armed robbery in Saint-Leonard.
String of thefts
Three men are facing theft, vehicle theft, dangerous driving, trafficking in stolen property and other charges in connection with 21 thefts in Montreal and on the South Shore between Jan. 23 and Feb. 20 of this year.
Police said in a news release that 26 total charges have been authorized for the suspects aged 31, 40 and 41.
They were arrested on Feb. 20 in Verdun.
“The businesses targeted are located in the boroughs of Verdun, LaSalle and Sud-Ouest, as well as on the western tip of the island of Montreal, and in the municipalities of Ange-Gardien, Châteauguay, Pincourt and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu,” the SPVM said. “Once inside the businesses, the suspects allegedly managed to steal various items before fleeing in stolen vehicles. During some of these events, they allegedly used physical violence to achieve their ends.”
Parking lot stick-up
A squad out of the SPVM’s station in Saint-Leonard arrested two 20-year-old men on Feb. 24 in connection with a robbery involving firearms in the parking lot of a business on Jean-Talon Street East on Jan. 30.
“A wallet and a luxury accessory were allegedly stolen from the victims,” the SPVM said.
Police seized a handgun, magazine, ammunition and other evidence after searching two dwellings, the release added.
The two suspects are facing robbery, firearms possession, uttering threats and other charges.
